2010 Blessings

Yes, I am counting my next year's blessings already.

It has been an exciting year for a grandma wannabe. Kirsten & Matthew came home in the beginning of June and the day before Kirsten's 30th birthday, they handed us our combined Mother's Day and Father's Day gift - asking us to open it together. Inside the giftbag was a children's book, "The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas."

We weren't expecting this announcement from them, so it took a minute to register the reason for this strange gift.

Rachel, who has wanted children much longer than Kirsten, became Kirsten's best buddy - getting and giving her information on everything from cloth diapers to what all the wierd new baby gadgets are and their purpose.

It has been a fun half-year - seeing Kirsten grow (at six months, she is shaped just like I was) and, thankfully, not have to deal with too severe morning sickness symptoms.

Seeing one's child preparing for their own child is incredible.

Then the other news came. Paul & Rachel couldn't fly home for their announcement, so it came via phone. I knew the call was something serious - I was asked to make it while alone. With Rachel's seeming inability to get pregnant, and a looming gynacologist appointment, I wasn't sure what to expect. But the words, "I'm pregnant" were definitely NOT what I expected!!

Wow! Given the circumstances, we're calling this one a miracle.

We don't have a date yet, and probably never will get a very accurate one. But since 9 months is the standard gestation period, sometime in the next 9 months we will meet our second grandchild!

This calls for a celebration shopping trip for my girls and I... My flight is booked.